How disciples (novices in Súfism) are beguiled in their need by false impostors and imagine them to be Shaykhs and venerable personages and (saints) united (with God), and do not know the difference between fact (naqd) and fiction (naql) and between what is tied on (artificially) and what has grown up (naturally).

بهر این گفتند دانایان به فن ** میهمان محسنان باید شدن‌‌

For this reason the wise have said with knowledge, ‘One must become the guest of those who confer benefits.’

تو مرید و میهمان آن کسی ** کاو ستاند حاصلت را از خسی‌‌2265

Thou art the disciple and guest of one who, from his vileness, robs thee of all thou hast.

نیست چیره چون ترا چیره کند ** نور ندهد مر ترا تیره کند

He is not strong: how should he make thee strong? He does not give light, (nay) he makes thee dark.

چون و را نوری نبود اندر قران ** نور کی یابند از وی دیگران‌‌

Since he had no light (in himself), how in association (with him) should others obtain light from him?